Hello foodie! I hope you are well and enjoying the holiday season. After spending 3 months in Greece I am now back home in California! 

4 Days Before Christmas Greek Recipes 

#2 Recipe 

Since I was in Thessaloniki I had to make my favorite “Salonikos” bread. Koulouri is an all-time favorite snack here in Thessaloniki and I love making it. It’s so simple yet so good. I don’t know why but toasted bread rings with sesame but it’s yummy! Have you tried my recipe yet? I formulated a new recipe that’s quite festive for the holidays. I combined my Eliopita recipe with my koulouri recipe but added some special holiday touches. 

Here’s the best koulouri recipe! Now you can make this recipe even better and add your favorite holiday ingredients to the mix. 

 Rosemary & Kalamata Koulouri Recipe 

Servings: 10 bread rings

Ingredients:

• 1 cup warm water
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1 teaspoon active dry yeast
• 1 cup bread flour
• 1 cup whole wheat flour
• 2 ½ teaspoons salt
• 2 cups warm water
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 2 ½ cups sesame seeds
• Add in ingredients: 1/4 cup of Kalamata olives (diced), 2 teaspoons of fresh rosemary chopped, and 3 tablespoons of toasted walnuts chopped

Method:

1. Prepare the yeast: In a small bowl add the warm water and honey. Mix to combine and then add the active dry yeast and stir with a wooden spoon. Set aside until the mixture gets foamy and bubbly (for about 10 minutes).
2. In a large mixing bowl, add the flour and salt and slowly add the yeast mixture. Mix for about 6 minutes or until the dough is soft and elastic.
3. Lightly grease a large bowl, place the dough inside, and cover with plastic wrap. Let the dough rest for 1 hour or until doubled in size.
4. Prepare the rosemary, olives, and walnuts. Fold them into the dough mixture. If you find that the dough is a bit sticky add a little flour to the mix. 
5. Prepare the coating for the koulouri. In a deep plate, dissolve the sugar in the warm water and mix to combine. Place the sesame seeds inside a deep pan.
6. Lightly grease your kitchen counter with oil and prepare to cut the dough into 10 balls. Roll pieces into long sausage-like strings. Take both ends of the dough and connect forming a ring. Dip each ring into the water, and then gently roll each into the sesame seeds.
7. Preheat oven to 400° F. Place koulouri onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and slightly greased. Bake for 20 minutes or until golden brown and crunchy.

**This recipe pairs well with dips especially whipped feta dip, beet dip, and hummus.